Yaya Toure is set to link-up with his brother Kolo at Manchester City and could complete his move to the Premier League big-spenders within days. (Man City 6/1 to win title outright)
Barcelona cleared the way for the Ivory Coast midfielder to move to Eastlands after confirming his departure on Monday and Toure is expected to be the first of a number of big-money signings by City manager Roberto Mancini over the next month.
Toure was expected to seal a move to City earlier this month but the deal was held up by the player’s participation in the World Cup and a change of presidents at Barcelona.
But new Barca chief Sandro Rosell takes over at the Spanish champions from outgoing president Joan Laporta on Thursday and Toure’s agent anticipates the transfer being finalised soon after that following the confirmation that the midfielder and teammate Thierry Henry will be leaving this summer.
Agent Dimitri Seluk told Sport: “I think we will have a solution this week. In fact, I would say that (it will be done) on the first or second of July – maybe on the second because the first will be a very busy day at Barca with the change of president.
“Yes, we have to talk, but of course, the reality is not going to change in one moment.
“Yaya wants to play the important games and he knows that he will be an important player at Manchester City.
“It is not a money problem, as I have said 1,000 times, but a problem of (the lack of) confidence (that Barca have in him).”
Seluk admitted that nothing has been signed yet but said that Toure?s wage demands are not excessive and he does not expect anything to hold up the deal.
He added: “I haven’t signed anything. However, Yaya doesn’t have an astronomical salary, not at all, so it won’t be difficult to be reach an agreement.”
Toure could be joined at Manchester City in the near future by Valencia striker David Silva and Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.
Silva, who is also wanted by Premier League champions Chelsea) has been given permission by his Spanish side to open talks on a possible £29 million move, with striker Roque Santa Cruz possibly moving in the opposite direction as part of a swap deal.
Milner has been a target for Mancini all summer and is expected to hold urgent talks with Villa at the start of next month following England?s disappointing World Cup exit.
City kick-off the 2010/11 season with a visit to Tottenham and Mancini would like to have all three players available for the clash at White Hart Lane (Man City 7/4 to win, Tottenham 5/4, 9/4 draw)
Toure set for Man City switch
Barcelona cleared the way for the Ivory Coast midfielder to move to Eastlands after confirming his departure on Monday and Toure is expected to be the first of a number of big-money signings by City manager Roberto Mancini over the next month.
Toure was expected to seal a move to City earlier this month but the deal was held up by the player’s participation in the World Cup and a change of presidents at Barcelona.
But new Barca chief Sandro Rosell takes over at the Spanish champions from outgoing president Joan Laporta on Thursday and Toure’s agent anticipates the transfer being finalised soon after that following the confirmation that the midfielder and teammate Thierry Henry will be leaving this summer.
Agent Dimitri Seluk told Sport: “I think we will have a solution this week. In fact, I would say that (it will be done) on the first or second of July – maybe on the second because the first will be a very busy day at Barca with the change of president.
“Yes, we have to talk, but of course, the reality is not going to change in one moment.
“Yaya wants to play the important games and he knows that he will be an important player at Manchester City.
“It is not a money problem, as I have said 1,000 times, but a problem of (the lack of) confidence (that Barca have in him).”
Seluk admitted that nothing has been signed yet but said that Toure?s wage demands are not excessive and he does not expect anything to hold up the deal.
He added: “I haven’t signed anything. However, Yaya doesn’t have an astronomical salary, not at all, so it won’t be difficult to be reach an agreement.”
Toure could be joined at Manchester City in the near future by Valencia striker David Silva and Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.
Silva, who is also wanted by Premier League champions Chelsea) has been given permission by his Spanish side to open talks on a possible £29 million move, with striker Roque Santa Cruz possibly moving in the opposite direction as part of a swap deal.
Milner has been a target for Mancini all summer and is expected to hold urgent talks with Villa at the start of next month following England?s disappointing World Cup exit.
City kick-off the 2010/11 season with a visit to Tottenham and Mancini would like to have all three players available for the clash at White Hart Lane (Man City 7/4 to win, Tottenham 5/4, 9/4 draw)
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